About 2 years ago my old Tipo started to die on me when slowing down for lights, junctions etc. Sometimes it would restart immediately but the problem got worse until it was no longer driveable. During that period I replaced fuel filter, spark plugs, HT and plug leads, distributor cap and rotor arm then, when I finally replaced the ignition module on the side of the distributor and fished out a bit of metal clip I found floating around inside the distributor body, it all started to work properly again.

I'm not a boy racer and I don't clock up many miles a year - I don't use the car at all during the winter - but last weekend the problem recurred and again I needed a tow home.

Today I checked it again - no spark - and so fitted another ignition module. The car started okay after that but, about three minutes later, died again with no spark. I checked at the plugs, then the distributor, then the coil. I got one spark only, then nothing, so thought I'd better change the coil. Pretty soon there won't be much of the original car left!

I didn't manage to finish the job today but I did notice as I took the coil off that the washer terminal of the earth strap that joins the chassis/battery tray at one of the coil securing bolts is broken and a bit corroded so possibly there isn't a good contact there.

Of course I'll get a new strap or service the old when putting the new coil on but I've three questions:

1. Does the fault I've described sound as though it could be the result of a dodgy earth strap?

2. Do the symptoms sound like a dead or dying coil?

3. If neither of these measures work, bearing in mind that most of the ignition system except the distributor itself has been renewed within the last 5000 miles, what else could the problem be?

I'd appreciate your thoughts guys.

Thanks -

LezH

well I got a Strap on me 1.6 Carb but when i bought the car it wasn't connected and it was connected sometime later only to taken off again when the car went in to the garage for something but it hasn't made a difference to the cars reliability at all so I don't think the strap should be your problem.

reconnect it just incase, it wont cost you much. it does sound like you have an electrical problem but i'm no professional and after you've changed all them bit, if no one here can help take it to a garage you know and trust.

Thanks for that, Trancendental. I'm about to go put the coil on (if it stops raining!) and of course I'll 'service' the earth strap and refit it - but if everything runs okay without the strap, any idea what it's for? Is it just a safety thing in case electrical problems develop in a component?

Sorry, electrical dummy I'm afraid.

I will take it into a garage as a last resort but I've already been refused a mortgage. Before I go into the bank robbery business I'll try replacing the alternator and then the distributor if that doesn't work. I think that'll be the full monty then!

You know what mate, thinkin about it, you might have a dodgy fuel flow.

My car was doing the same (cutting out when slowing down) and My Fuel Pump was on its last legs, had that replaced and if I can remember correctly it was still happnin but it was because I had a burst Fuel hose in between the Fuel Pump and Fuel Filter, had that replaced and I dont remember it cuttin out after that, didn't really have time to test cause some prick drove into my Tipo at force and I'm still wating for parts to arrive so I can get back on road.

As for your restarting problem im not sure, doesn't the starter motor tick over at all? if it does but the engine just wont start then its probably your fuel lines or related fuel pump or components.

Fuel pump aint that much if I remeber correctly and fitting it aint a problem either, probably be an hours labour for fitting (£40)

Have a look at fuel pump while engine is runnin. its located in the engine bay just under the furthest left Spark Plug. It sticks out and shold have 2 or 3 rubber pipes/hoses coming out of it.

If its leaking fuel or Oil (needs oil to lubricarte itself) get it replaced. and check all the pipes from it for cuts and slits aswell.

Well thanks a lot for that. I had wondered first time round whether it could be fuel starvation as the transparent fuel filter on the driver's side bulkhead always looks wet but nearly empty (don't know if it's supposed to) but as there was no spark I concentrated on the ignition side of things ...

I fitted the new coil and cleaned-up earth strap last night - and the damned thing only started working again! (Yippee!!!) I shouldn't have written that cos you just know what's gonna happen next!

I 'ear-tuned' it (forgot to mark the dis when I took it out!), ran it for about half an hour on tickover, revving every so often, then drove round the block about 20 times so I wouldn't have far to push if it died and, touch wood and whistle ...

I will check the fuel side at the weekend though so I'll print your post out and keep it close to my heart till then!

Thanks a lot for your support and suggestions, and I hope you get your own car sorted soon.

Best to yuh -

LezH

slightly edited above post.

Fuel Pump is furthest LEFT not right.

Good luck

LezH said:

I shouldn't have written that cos you just know what's gonna happen next!

Click to expand...

And it did! Despite successful local road test it waited for us to put all the bank holiday luggage in before conking out two miles from home! But it absolutely purred along for 1.9 of 'em!

RAC man discovered the ignition module/hall switch wiring inside the distributor was in a really poor state so was optimistic when he was able to replace the worst-looking bits. But although we got it running again we knew it wouldn't work for long so was given a tow home. By the time we got back it had stopped working again.

Have replaced the hall switch and wiring and am going to try again today. What a waste of a long weekend!